Spain: Juan Carlos celebrates election anniversary

Euronews

Spain’s King Juan Carlos has called for unity and dialogue to tackle the fight against terrorism. He was joined by the Prime Minister and other dignitaries to mark the thirtieth anniversary of democratic elections in the country, following the end of General Franco’s rule.

Addressing the Spanish parliament, the King said: “We must force ourselves especially, to defeat the cruel and inhumane blight of terrorism, which has created too many victims, and too much pain. Thirty years,” he said, “is enough time to state clearly that terrorists will never achieve their goals through violence.”

King Juan Carlos also praised the work and personality of Adolfo Suarez. His Union of the Democratic Centre won elections in 1977 and he stayed in power until 1981. Many observers point to Spain as an example of how transitions from dictatorship to democracy can be peaceful and orderly.